“It wasn’t an easy game. Obviously, it was a great atmosphere for the Earthquakes and for the league, but I’m really pleased with the win. I thought our guys played a pretty steady game. We scored a goal and our young back line did a great job defensively. I think overall, this was our best effort as a team.”

On clean sheet:

“They both played really well. I think it’s Kofi’s second year and Tommy’s third. They now have enough experience and they’ve played a number of games with the first team – we’ve also had them with Galaxy II – so they’re primed to play and they did a great job today.”

LA GALAXY DEFENDER TOMMY MEYER

On defensive line:

“We talked before the game about having each other’s back. With Lenhart, he flicks the ball on and gets in dangerous positions, so we had to make sure he was marked up. Even going forward, we were able to keep the ball, which kept a lot of pressure off of us in the back.

On game management:

“Towards the end of each half, we wanted to be sharp, especially on free kicks. They are dangerous on set pieces, so we wanted to make sure we were marked up there. We were well aware of what their strengths are. Especially towards the end of each half, we wanted to make sure we were locked in and not leaving guys unmarked.”

LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER LANDON DONOVAN

On team performance:

“We talked over the last three days about concentrating for 90 minutes. We’ve played well through a lot of stretches in a lot of games, but we’ve let our concentration go. Tonight, everyone was tuned in. When one guy couldn’t make the play, the next guy made it. I thought we were excellent tonight.”

On goal:

“If Barcelona scored a goal like that, people would be talking about it for weeks. It was a good sequence: it was a great ball by Robbie, great run by Marcelo and Gyasi peeled off with a great run and a finish, so I think it was as good a team goal as you’ll seen in this league.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MARK WATSON

On the match:

“Our performance wasn’t what it needed to be in the first half. I thought the guys responded well in the second half. Aside from the goal, I felt like we were the better team in the second half. We probably had an equal number of good scoring chances, but we just couldn’t finish them. It was just a matter of who could put them away tonight.”

On Clarence Goodson:

“He pulled his groin in warm-ups so we had to make a late substitution which was disappointing because Clarence is a big part of our team. I thought Jason Hernandez came in and did an absolutely fantastic job. He had about 20 minutes to get himself mentally prepared. He did what he always does in terms of battling hard and giving everything he has. I thought Jason played extremely well tonight.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER JASON HERNANDEZ

On loss:

“It came down to one great play. I think that’s what it comes down to when you play the Galaxy. You try to establish your game and I felt we did that by weathering the storm in the first half. Unfortunately, we did not get enough clean looks at goal. They have some great players and made it difficult for us. Sometimes the results come off one great play and unfortunately that play went against us this week.”

On playing 200th career match:

“I found out I was going to play about halfway through warm-ups. Clarence [Goodson] wasn’t feeling one hundred percent. I take my craft very seriously, so I need to be prepared for my next opportunity. This staff has believed in me over time and I owe it to them. This time last year, I wasn’t sure if I was going to have another California Clasico under my belt. To be fortunate to play at this stage one more time in front of this great crowd for my 200th appearance makes me very proud and happy to be here.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER KHARI STEPHENSON

On second half effort:

“With this sport, it’s one of those things when anything can happen in a split second. The first half they were controlling the tempo of the game. We come out in the second half with some good attacks. Next thing you know, they take the lead off of nothing. We regrouped and had more possession and chances on goal but could not equalize.”

On short week:

“Naturally, the body can wear down after 120 minutes like we played on Tuesday. I’m sure some of the other guys felt the effects, but we had some rest this month so that shouldn’t be a reason for our slow play. The good news is we have another game on Wednesday so we can make up some ground. We have been playing better as of late. We know we are not where we want to be, but there has been some positive progression. If that continues, we feel like we will be just fine.”